A rescue operation to free a Russian private investigator from unlawful imprisonment has exposed extensive corruption inside Namibia’s law enforcement system, leading to the arrest of several of its members, City Press reported on February 6.

The mission to secure Igor Kekshin’s freedom was carried out by a South African private security company of former military intelligence operatives in a joint operation with Namibia’s specialised police. He is now a key witness in a case of fraud and extortion spanning South Africa and Namibia. 

Kekshin, who is based in Germany, arrived in Cape Town, South Africa, in November 2023 to track down the disappearance of large sums of investor money in a fraud case linked to JuicyFields, an international cannabis crowdfunding programme.

JuicyFields, once spearheaded by South African entrepreneur Willem van der Merwe, gained notoriety as an e-growing scheme enticing investors with promises of substantial returns from cannabis cultivation investments.

However, the scheme and its proprietors are currently under scrutiny for alleged financial irregularities by international law enforcement agencies, according to City Press. The investigation was prompted by the abrupt closure of the company in 2022, leaving investors bewildered and without any explanation.

This unexpected shutdown sparked a global legal frenzy, leaving thousands of investors unable to access their investments, ranging from as little as €50 (ZAR1,017) to as much as €180,000. Efforts to recoup these investments through various legal channels and initiatives worldwide are estimated to exceed $1bn (R19bn).

Trying to track down the embezzled funds, Kekshin went to Namibia in December, where he was allegedly abducted by rogue police officers, falsely incarcerated, and subjected to extortion by high-ranking officials, writes City Press.

In an affidavit filed with Namibian police, Kekshin explains that he was lured by a syndicate, which produces fake identity documents and extorts money from its victims after having them arrested. The scheme, he says, was orchestrated by a husband and wife living in Windhoek and Cape Town.

While in the Namibian Police Force (NAMPOL) custody, Kekshin discovered the involvement of the allegedly corrupt police officials, including officers with familial ties to the syndicate.

His ordeal only ended with the intervention of South Africa’s former military intelligence operatives who collaborated with NAMPOL to entrap the culprits. They arrested several police officials and alleged members of the syndicate known to produce fake documents, including passports and visas.

“This incident not only highlights the risks faced by private investigators in international operations but also casts a shadow on the functioning of law enforcement agencies in dealing with cross-border financial crimes,” an operative at the centre of Kekshin’s rescue said.

“The JuicyFields saga, with its blend of investment fraud and corruption, serves as a cautionary tale for those enticed by high-return promises in the burgeoning cannabis industry. Kekshin’s ordeal, while personally devastating, sheds light on the intricate and perilous world of financial crimes; the vulnerability of international investigators; and the need for robust, transparent legal systems to combat such malpractices,” he added.

Namibian police spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, told City Press: “The case against the Russian man [Kekshin] was withdrawn at court. However, investigations are ongoing against the other accused person in the case. The case was postponed to 15 February, pending further investigation.”

With charges against him dropped, Kekshin is now a key state witness and is expected to provide crucial testimony that could shake the Namibian Police Force, writes City Press.